Manchester City are hot on the trail of Real Madrid defender Pepe, Spanish daily Marca has revealed.

With Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini almost certain to take over the reigns at Etihad, he is already thinking about potential summer signings.

According to Marca, the Chilean boss is hoping to sign Real Madrid castaway Pepe in the summer transfer window.

Pellegrini knows the Portugal international well from his time at the Santiago Bernabeu and he is eager to add him to his squad at Etihad seeing as how both Joleon Lescott and Kolo Toure are set to leave.

Pepe is hoping to leave los Blancos at the end of the season after he was treated poorly by Jose Mourinho, but it remains to be seen whether new Real Madrid boss will be prepared to let him go.

The Portuguese defender would face a stiff competition for a starting place at Etihad with Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastasic having established an excellent partnership.